Based on the best-selling novel by Philippa Gregory, The Other Boleyn Girl is
an engrossing and sensual tale of intrigue, romance, and betrayal set against
the backdrop of a defining moment in history. Two sisters, Anne (Natalie
Portman) and Mary (Scarlett Johansson) Boleyn, are driven by their ambitious
father and uncle to advance the family’s power and status by courting the
affections of the king of England (Eric Bana). Leaving behind the simplicity of
country life, the girls are thrust into the dangerous and thrilling world of court
life – and what began as a bid to help their family develops into a ruthless
rivalry between Anne and Mary for the love of the king. Initially, Mary wins
King Henry’s favor and becomes his mistress, bearing him an illegitimate
child. But Anne, clever, conniving, and fearless, edges aside both her sister
and Henry’s wife, Queen Katherine of Aragon, in her relentless pursuit of the
king. Despite Mary’s genuine feelings for Henry, her sister Anne has her
sights set on the ultimate prize; Anne will not stop until she is Queen of
England. As the Boleyn girls battle for the love of a king – one driven by
ambition, the other by true affection – England is torn apart. Despite the
dramatic consequences, the Boleyn girls ultimately find strength and loyalty in
each other, and they remain forever connected by their bond as sisters.
ABOUT THE STORY
To their father, Sir Thomas Boleyn, Anne (Natalie Portman) and her younger
sister Mary (Scarlett Johansson) are precious commodities whose personal
lives must be carefully managed so as to yield maximum financial and social
benefit for the family. Convinced that Anne has the potential to attract a suitor
of superior standing, Sir Thomas turns down a marriage proposal from a
merchant family and offers them Mary instead.
Sir Thomas soon sees a golden opportunity to exploit Anne’s beauty and wit
when his brother-in-law, the Duke of Norfolk, arranges a visit to the Boleyn
household by King Henry VIII. Aware that Queen Katherine has been unable
to produce a male heir and Henry is on the prowl for a mistress, Thomas
instructs Anne to do her best to make a favorable impression on the monarch.
Henry is immediately intrigued by the brazen young woman, but Anne proves
too headstrong for the ruler,who turns his attention instead to the sweetnatured
and equally lovely – though recently married – Mary
Deeply enthralled, the king summons the entire Boleyn family – including
mother and father, Norfolk, both Boleyn sisters, and their brother,George – to
the Royal Court for the express purpose of making Mary his lover. Sir Thomas
and the Duke of Norfolk are delighted at this turn of events – and even Mary’s
passive husband dutifully agrees to the dubious arrangement – but Mary, a
simple country girl at heart, has no interest in the life of a courtier. Anne, still
stinging from the king’s rebuff, seethes with silent anger toward her sister. ,
Taking her future and fortune into her own hands, Anne elopes in a forbidden,
secret marriage, but this is quickly discovered by Mary, who informs the
family. They send Anne to France, banishing her from Henry’s court.
Despite her initial reluctance, Mary soon finds herself deeply in love with the
tender and attentive Henry. She becomes pregnant with Henry’s child, and all
is well, until her difficult pregnancy confines her to bed rest and the king’s
romantic interest in her wanes. When Sir Thomas summons Anne to return to
court to entertain the king, it is the moment Anne has been waiting for. Just
as Mary and George find their positions at court starting to slip, Anne, still
bitter, plots to seduce the king and to exact revenge for what she sees as her
sister’s unforgivable betrayal.
First, Anne taunts her sister over the long-held grudge and persuades Henry
to cast Mary and the newborn child out of court and back to her destitute
husband in the country. With Mary out of sight, Anne begins to play out her
clever scheme to become not only the king’s mistress, but his queen. She
withholds sex from Henry, demanding that the king annul his 20-year
marriage to Katherine, send her away, and marry Anne. Henry demurs –
because divorces are not allowed within the church, such a move would
require a split with the Pope and likely spur an invasion by forces loyal to
Rome.
When news of Anne’s brief secret marriage surfaces, that one loose thread
threatens to unravel the entire plan. The calculating Anne calls upon the only
person she knows she can count on, summoning Mary back to court. Mary,
seeking peace with her sister, tells Henry that he can trust Anne, and the king,
convinced by the other Boleyn girl, marries Anne, who is now pregnant with
his child. Anne has won – she is crowned Queen of England.
But Anne’s victory comes at a high price. Henry’s controversial marriage to
Anne proves more than simply a scandal in court; the repercussions of
Henry’s split with Rome push England to the brink of war. The king is left
feeling disgusted with himself and his new bride, and with the eyes of the
world on his court, Henry knows he can avoid humiliation only if Anne
produces a son. When Anne’s first pregnancy results in a girl and she covers
up the miscarriage of a second pregnancy, the king’s patience with the Boleyn
family reaches an end. Anne, Mary, and George, at the mercy of a vengeful
king and a pitiless court, are stunned when their father and uncle sacrifice the
children in an attempt to save themselves. In the end, with the executioner’s
sword waiting for Anne, there is no one but Mary willing to speak for her, and
this time, even Mary’s words cannot save her sister. Nevertheless, it is the
unending bond between sisters that becomes Anne’s final solace.
i think this is the movie i saw the best in this year so far!
